Aba Hackathon: The Footwear Academy Emerges Winner for the 2018 Proudly Made in Aba Challenge

Footwear Academy

The Proudly Made in Aba Hackathon grand finale has taken place with The Footwear Academy emerging Winner for the challenge, and also winning the $50,000 grand prize.

We had previously reported the registration for the Aba Hackathon, which is a program for startups and teams with great ideas on how to add value to the Aba manufacturing groups. The program, which spanned an intensive 3-day workshop, received 400 applications, out of which 10 were chosen for the hackathon.

Emerging the first for the program, was The Footwear Academy, a platform which engages people who are interested in the art of making footwear.

According to Techpoint.ng, TFA Co-Founder, Chidinma Emodi Chukwuemeka spoke on the Aba Hackathon, noting that focusing on the core aspects of their business has helped them thrive.

Each of the contestants had something very unique. The solutions in their diversity addressed the various problems of Aba. Even if you give the artisans the enabler, which is technology, they will still not be able to produce the much needed export quality. So in order for us to be able to go international, we have to start from the core.

Coming 2nd for the programme was Clintonel Technologies, an Aba-based hardware and prototyping lab. And in 3rd place was Ogwugo, an eCommerce platform that connects Aba artisans to a wider market. Both platforms won $30,000 and $10,000 respectively.

Having emerged one of the three finalists out 400 applications for the program, we can say that these startups indeed have something to offer in rejuvenating the city of Aba.

The Proudly Made in Aba Hackathon is a collaboration of Ford Foundation, the Abia State government and Startup South.

 


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